PROVISIONS FOR DEEMED CONVEYANCE UNDER MOFA

Amendments in Maharashtra Ownership Flats (Regulation of the promotion of construction, sale, management and transfer) Act, 2005 giving a huge relief to hundreds and thousands of flats purchasers in Maharashtra. Conveyance to the societies was a burning issues which have integrated many problems like property tax, housing finance documentations and major repairs or redevelopment.

The highlights of the amendments are as under:

• Builder/s will have to execute the conveyance.
  Power is given to the District Deputy Registrar to act as Competent Authority. (Sec. 5A)
• Power is given to Competent Authority for registration of Co-operative Society under the provisions of Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960. (Sec. 10(1) )
• It is the duty of the promoter (builder) to file with the Competent Authority within the prescribed period a copy of the conveyance executed by him (Sec. 11(2))
• If the promoter fails to execute the conveyance in favour of Co-operative Society, Company or Associations or Apartment Owners as the case may be, then the flat purchasers can approach the Competent Authority with true copy of registered agreement of all the flat purchasers including Occupation Certificate, Registration Certificate of the society then in such circumstances the Co-operative Society, Company or Associations is entitled to have unilateral deemed conveyance (Sec. 11(3))
• The proceedings before the Competent Authority have to be completed within a period of 6 months. The Competent Authority must verify the authenticity of the document produced before him and after giving a reasonable opportunity to the promoter, if satisfied will issue a certificate to the Sub-Registrar or any other Registration Officer under the Registration Act, 1908, certifying that it is a fit case for enforcing unilateral execution of conveyance deed conveying the right, title and interest of the promoter in the land and the building in favour of the applicant, as deemed conveyance(Sec. 11(4))
• The sub registrar after receipt of the certificate issued by the Competent Authority along with the unilateral instrument of conveyance can issue summons to the promoter to show cause why the unilateral instrument should not be registered as deemed conveyance. However, reasonable opportunity of being heard may be given to the promoter. If the Sub-Registrar is satisfied then he will register the unilateral conveyance as ‘deemed conveyance’. (Sec. 11(5))
• The Competent Authority has been created who has powers to award criminal imprisonment to the builder/s for a period not less than 6 months and not more than 1 year and / or along with fine ranging from Rs 10,000/- to 50,000/- (Sec. 13(3)(a) & 13(3)(b))
• The builder/s if convicted will not be able to carry on construction activities for a period of five years. However, the disqualification shall not affect the permission for construction of flats already granted. (Sec. 13 (4), 13(5) & 13(6) )
• The Competent Authority shall be deemed to be a public servant as per the provisions of Indian Penal Code. (Sec. (13B)
• Proceedings before Competent Authority shall be aimed to be judicial proceedings as per the provisions of Indian Penal Code. (Sec. 13C)
• Competent Authority shall be deemed to be a Civil Court for certain purposes. (Sec. 13D)

No action can be taken against the Competent Authority for acts done in good faith by the Competent Authority. (Sec. 13E)

SHARE CAPITAL UNDER BYE-LAWS FOR SOCIETY FORMATION

The Authorized Share Capital of the Society shall be Rs …………………………..divided into …………… shares of Rs. 50 each

1. A Share Certificate, prescribed in bye-laws, bearing distinctive number and indicating the name of the Member, the number of shares issued and the value paid there on, shall be issued by the Society to every Member for the shares subscribed by him, within a period of six months of the allotment of the shares.

• The Committee of the Society shall issue a duplicate share certificate, “So Marked”, on application to its members on production of following documents.

1. if the share certificate is lost – copy of police complaint lodged, and an affidavit in that regard.

2. if the share certificate is soiled, burnt, torn, disfigured etc. affidavit in that regard. 10. Every such Share Certificate shall bear the seal of the Society and be signed by the Society’s Chairman, the Secretary and one Member of the Committee, duly authorized by the Committee. The same shall be issued by the Secretary of the Society.

FUNDS, THEIR UTILISATION AND INVESTMENT UNDER BYE-LAWS FOR SOCIETY FORMATION

• Raising of Funds :-

The funds of the Society may be raised in one or more of the following ways: Modes of raising the funds of the Society

a. by entrance fees,

b. by issue of shares,

c. by loans and subsidies,

d. by deposits,

e. by voluntary donations, (but not from Transferor and Transferee)

f. by contributions towards cost of building or buildings,

g. by fee on transfer of shares, along with the occupancy right, assignment h. by premium on transfer of occupancy right over the flats,

i. by corpus fund from Promoter Builder

j. by any other mode permitted under these bye-laws,

k. by way of statutory requirements.

l. by way of non-occupancy charges, leasing / hiring of open spaces m. by way of corpus fund, in case of redevelopment

SOCIETY REGISTRATION

 First general body meeting (before registration)

In this meeting under Society’s Model Bye-law 3(iii), the Chief Promoter (could be the builder) is primarily selected by the promoters, who are members co-signing the registration application before the Registering Authority, under Bye-law 3(xii).

In this meeting, necessary resolutions are passed like opening the account in a bank in the name of proposed society and for obtaining permission for reserving the name of the society. It is compulsory for SRA/ MHADA recognized societies, for the first meeting to be video-recorded.

Application for registration

Normally, the name reservation proposal should be accompanied with the society resolutions and signatures of at least 10 Promoters who have attended the meeting. On allotment of name and permission to open a bank account by the Registrar, the Chief Promoter has to collect Share Capital, Entrance Fees from promoters and deposit the same in the branch of the bank permitted by the Registrar. It should be noted that the amount cannot be withdrawn from the Bank till the society is registered or its registration is refused, except with prior written permission of the Registrar. The Chief Promoter should submit registration proposal to the registering authority within a period of 3 months from the date of issue of Letter of Reservation in the name of the proposed society.

If builder/ promoter is not co-operating in registering the Co-operative Housing Society, then in that case, the application for registration of society be submitted in Form 6 (Rule 12) before the District Deputy Registrar, who has been given power under section 10(1) of the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act 1963. While submitting the said proposal, a Notarized Indemnity Bond of the members who applied for the registration of society on the stamp paper of Rs. 200 is required.

Documents required for Registration

• 7/12 extract of the land or property card.
• Certificate concerning non-agricultural land from the competent authority
• The order of applicable or non-applicable of land ceiling Act
• Construction layout duly approved by the competent authority
• Letter of sanction for starting construction
• Certificate regarding completion of construction work
• Development Agreement if the land is taken for development
• Letter of Power of Attorney of the land
• Title search report of the land
• The registered agreement of purchases of the flat with necessary stamp duty paid
• Architect Certificate regarding construction
• List of Members
• Scheme of the Society
• Application for reserving name
• At least ten members are necessary for registration of society. On the other hand, the government has given permission subject to some conditions for the Housing society of fewer than 10 members by exercising powers. For registration proposal, the signature of sixty percent promoters, who participated in the registration proposal is necessary.
• If the land is given by the government or undertaking agency of the government then its guarantee letter.
• No objection certificates from the Charitable Commissioner if the land is of Trust.
• Certificate of the competent authority regarding non-agricultural plot
• While registering SRA/SRD and MHADA recognized Co-operative Housing Societies, it is obligatory to fulfill the necessary papers as per instructions are given by the authorities by their circulars in addition to above criterion.
• Application for Registering Society (A form)
• Table giving information of society (B Form)
• Table giving details of the members (C Form)
• Statement of Accounts of the Members (D Form)
• Notarized Guarantee letter by the Chief Promoter of the society on the stamp Paper of Rs. 100/-
• Notarized Guarantee letter by the Builder, Promoter on the Stamp Paper of Rs. 100/-
• Affidavit of Members (Affidavit of Minimum 10 Promoters)
• Two copies of bye-laws of the Society approved by the Commissioner, Co-operation and Registrar, Co-operative Societies and Maharashtra State, Pune
• Proof of the bank balance of the promoter member (deposit of each share of Rs. 500 and admission fee of Rs. 100), after getting permission for reservation in the District Central Co-operative Bank
• Challan of Rs. 2500/- deposited in the Government Treasury Registration fee for the Housing Society of the Backward class is Rs. 50/-

Approval by Registrar

It is the duty of the concerned Registrar to register the Co-operative Housing Society, by scrutinizing the proposal submitted after fulfillment of above mentioned documents, and shall make an arrangement of issuing certificate of registration society under Section 9(1) of the Maharashtra Co-operative Society Act 1960, and copy of the registered bye-law, memorandum regarding registration of society to the chief promoter. The order regarding registration of society should have been sent for publishing in government gazette to the Government Printing Press for appropriate action. It is necessary to take decision on the registration of the society within a period of two months from the date of the proposal of the society submitted to the Registrar.

If proposal of society registration is denied or no decision is taken within two months then it is necessary to send that proposal to the Divisional Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies under Section 152 of the Maharashtra Co. operative societies Act, can be approached.

First General Body Meeting obligatory Agenda (after registration):

•        To elect a Chairman for the meeting

•        To admit persons to membership who have applied for membership of the society.

•        To elect a provisional Managing Committee

•        To receive and approve the statement of account as prepared by the Chief Promoter        of the society up to 14 days prior to the first general body meeting of the society.

•        To authorize the committee to secure conveyance of right title and interest in the              property in the name of the society from the promoter builder

•        To impose restrictions on raising loan amount from outside

•        To appoint internal auditor and to fix his remuneration

•        To authorize one of the members of the provisional committee to call the first    meeting of the provisional committee

•        To take decision about taking membership of District Housing Federation and other         institutions

•        To give power to one member of provisional management committee to call meeting     of the managing committee

•        To consider the matters raised by the member except these matters which are    necessary for giving advance notice with the permission of chairman and eleventh                hour matter and to make resolution in that regard.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONVEYANCE AND DEEMED CONVEYANCE

Conveyance –

A generic term for any written document which transfers (conveys) real estate property or real property interests from one party to another.

So by the above definition its very clear that if someone willingly transfers their legal right of the property to another party they would need to create a document which transfers this right. Such a document is called Deed of conveyance.

The important point here is – Willingly. Now in case of housing societies the builder/promoters have to ideally create deed of conveyance and hand over it to housing societies that to within 4 months after project completion. However, due to lack of knowledge many builders do not create such documents. There have been cases where builders have later on denied to create such documents and asked additional money to provide signatures on these documents. You will find all sorts of reasons for not creating the document. This results in issues for societies in future. Therefore, government has amended the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, 1963 (MOFA) to make sure if builders run way from such responsibilities the societies do not suffer. This amendment is called Deemed Conveyance. This amendment allows society owners to gain the legal rights of the land even if the builder is not willing to transfer the rights, in front of designated competent authority.

Deemed Conveyance – The Promoter (Builder/ Developer) is legally required to convey the land and the building within 4 months of formation to the society or any legal body of the flat purchasers. However, it has been the experience that many promoters (Builders/Developers) have not conveyed the land and building to the legal bodies. Therefore, government has amended the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, 1963 (MOFA) and provided for the deemed conveyance in favor of the legal bodies. Under the provision, deemed conveyance means after the expiry of 4 months of formation of the legal body, the land and building is deemed to have been conveyed to the legal body and to bring the same in the revenue record, Competent Authority has been designated who will hear the parties on the basis of applications received from the aggrieved party and transfers the title in favor of the legal body by passing the necessary order and deemed conveyance certificate and appoint an authorized officer to execute the conveyance deed in favor of the society and execute on behalf of non-co-operative builder or the land owner. Getting the title of land and building by adopting the above procedure is known as deemed conveyance.

What is Conveyance Deed?

A generic term for any written document which transfers/conveys real estate property or real property interests from one party to another.

If someone willingly transfers their legal rights, title, interest and ownership of the property to another party they would need to create a document which transfers this right. Such a document is called “Deed of Conveyance”.

Now in case of housing societies the builder/promoters have to ideally create deed of conveyance and hand over it to housing societies that to within 4 months after project completion. However, due to lack of knowledge many builders do not create such documents. There have been cases where builders have later on denied to create such documents and asked additional money to provide signatures on these documents. You will find all sorts of reasons for not creating the document. This results in issues for societies in future. Therefore, government has amended the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, 1963 (MOFA) to make sure if builders run way from such responsibilities, the societies do not suffer. This amendment is called “Deemed Conveyance”. This amendment allows society owners to gain the legal rights of the land even if the builder is not willing to transfer the rights, in front of designated competent authority.

A valid conveyance deed must contain the following:

1. The actual demarcation of the property.

2. Other rights annexed to the property and its use.

3. The full chain of titles, that is, all legal rights up until the present seller.

4. The method of delivery of the property to the buyer.

5. A memo of the consideration, stating how it has been received.

6. Any further applicable terms and conditions for the full transfer of ownership rights.

Important points to consider, to ensure smooth purchase/sale of a property:

The seller is required to certify that the property is free of any legal encumbrance.

If a loan was taken against the property in question, then, the mortgage must be cleared before the deed is signed. Buyers have the option of having this checked at the local sub-registrar’s office.

The conveyance deed should state the exact date on which the property will be handed over to the buyer.

Within four months of the execution of the deed, all the original documents related to the sale of the property, need to be produced for registration before the local registrar.

The deed is required to be signed by at least two witnesses.

SOCIETY FORMATION

First general body meeting (before registration)

In this meeting under Society’s Model Bye-law 3(iii), the Chief Promoter (could be the builder) is primarily selected by the promoters, who are members co-signing the registration application before the Registering Authority, under Bye-law 3(xii).

In this meeting, necessary resolutions are passed like opening the account in a bank in the name of proposed society and for obtaining permission for reserving the name of the society. It is compulsory for SRA/ MHADA recognized societies, for the first meeting to be video-recorded.

Application for registration

Normally, the name reservation proposal should be accompanied with the society resolutions and signatures of at least 10 Promoters who have attended the meeting. On allotment of name and permission to open a bank account by the Registrar, the Chief Promoter has to collect Share Capital, Entrance Fees from promoters and deposit the same in the branch of the bank permitted by the Registrar. It should be noted that the amount cannot be withdrawn from the Bank till the society is registered or its registration is refused, except with prior written permission of the Registrar. The Chief Promoter should submit registration proposal to the registering authority within a period of 3 months from the date of issue of Letter of Reservation in the name of the proposed society.

If builder/ promoter is not co-operating in registering the Co-operative Housing Society, then in that case, the application for registration of society be submitted in Form 6 (Rule 12) before the District Deputy Registrar, who has been given power under section 10(1) of the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act 1963. While submitting the said proposal, a Notarized Indemnity Bond of the members who applied for the registration of society on the stamp paper of Rs. 200 is required.

Documents required for Registration

• 7/12 extract of the land or property card.
• Certificate concerning non-agricultural land from the competent authority
• The order of applicable or non-applicable of land ceiling Act
• Construction layout duly approved by the competent authority
• Letter of sanction for starting construction
• Certificate regarding completion of construction work
• Development Agreement if the land is taken for development
• Letter of Power of Attorney of the land
• Title search report of the land
• The registered agreement of purchases of the flat with necessary stamp duty paid
• Architect Certificate regarding construction
• List of Members
• Scheme of the Society
• Application for reserving name
• At least ten members are necessary for registration of society. On the other hand, the government has given permission subject to some conditions for the Housing society of fewer than 10 members by exercising powers. For registration proposal, the signature of sixty percent promoters, who participated in the registration proposal is necessary.
• If the land is given by the government or undertaking agency of the government then its guarantee letter.
• No objection certificates from the Charitable Commissioner if the land is of Trust.
• Certificate of the competent authority regarding non-agricultural plot
• While registering SRA/SRD and MHADA recognized Co-operative Housing Societies, it is obligatory to fulfill the necessary papers as per instructions are given by the authorities by their circulars in addition to above criterion.
• Application for Registering Society (A form)
• Table giving information of society (B Form)
• Table giving details of the members (C Form)
• Statement of Accounts of the Members (D Form)
• Notarized Guarantee letter by the Chief Promoter of the society on the stamp Paper of Rs. 100/-
• Notarized Guarantee letter by the Builder, Promoter on the Stamp Paper of Rs. 100/-
• Affidavit of Members (Affidavit of Minimum 10 Promoters)
• Two copies of bye-laws of the Society approved by the Commissioner, Co-operation and Registrar, Co-operative Societies and Maharashtra State, Pune
• Proof of the bank balance of the promoter member (deposit of each share of Rs. 500 and admission fee of Rs. 100), after getting permission for reservation in the District Central Co-operative Bank
• Challan of Rs. 2500/- deposited in the Government Treasury Registration fee for the Housing Society of the Backward class is Rs. 50/-

Approval by Registrar

It is the duty of the concerned Registrar to register the Co-operative Housing Society, by scrutinizing the proposal submitted after fulfillment of above mentioned documents, and shall make an arrangement of issuing certificate of registration society under Section 9(1) of the Maharashtra Co-operative Society Act 1960, and copy of the registered bye-law, memorandum regarding registration of society to the chief promoter. The order regarding registration of society should have been sent for publishing in government gazette to the Government Printing Press for appropriate action. It is necessary to take decision on the registration of the society within a period of two months from the date of the proposal of the society submitted to the Registrar.

If proposal of society registration is denied or no decision is taken within two months then it is necessary to send that proposal to the Divisional Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies under Section 152 of the Maharashtra Co. operative societies Act, can be approached.

First General Body Meeting obligatory Agenda (after registration):

•              To elect a Chairman for the meeting

•              To admit persons to membership who have applied for membership of the society.

•              To elect a provisional Managing Committee

•              To receive and approve the statement of account as prepared by the Chief Promoter of the society up to 14 days prior to the first general body meeting of the society.

•              To authorize the committee to secure conveyance of right title and interest in the        property in the name of the society from the promoter builder

•              To impose restrictions on raising loan amount from outside

•              To appoint internal auditor and to fix his remuneration

•              To authorize one of the members of the provisional committee to call the first              meeting of the provisional committee

•              To take decision about taking membership of District Housing Federation and other   institutions

•              To give power to one member of provisional management committee to call meeting               of the managing committee

•              To consider the matters raised by the member except these matters which are              necessary for giving advance notice with the permission of chairman and eleventh hour matter and to make resolution in that regard.

PROCEDURE FOR DEEMED CONVEYANCE:-

Stage 1- Preparation for Deemed Conveyance

During this stage the Managing Committee prepares the Members of the Co-

Operative Housing Society for Deemed Conveyance by approving resolution in the

GBM if Builder/Promoter fails to convey the land and building within prescribed

period.

Stage 2- Documentation for Deemed Conveyance

During this stage, once the Documents required for Deemed Conveyance get

collected/ organized & thereafter the Case/Application get prepared and submitted

to Dist. Dy. Registrar Office through Legal Representative/Advocate.

Stage 3- Legal Case for Deemed Conveyance

During this stage, once the case is filed before the Competent Authority i.e. DDR,

hearings get started for both the parties to the application i.e. Applicant &

Respondent by issuing summons/notices. And after contesting the said matter, the

Order & Certificate of Deemed Conveyance upholding the right of the Society will be

obtained.

Stage 4- Adjudication of Deemed Conveyance

During this stage, the Deemed Conveyance get Adjudicated by the office of JDR,

Thane, with proper Stamp Duty, Registration fee etc…

Stage 5- Registration of Deemed Conveyance

During this stage, the adjudicated & executed draft of Deemed Conveyance will get registered in the office of Sub-Registrar.

CONVEYANCE DEED

In case of housing societies the builder/promoters have to ideally create deed of conveyance and hand over it to housing societies that to within 4 months after project completion. However, due to lack of knowledge many builders do not create such documents. There have been cases where builders have later on denied to create such documents and asked additional money to provide signatures on these documents. You will find all sorts of reasons for not creating the document. This results in issues for societies in future. Therefore, government has amended the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, 1963 (MOFA) to make sure if builders run way from such responsibilities, the societies do not suffer. This amendment is called “Deemed Conveyance”. This amendment allows society owners to gain the legal rights of the land even if the builder is not willing to transfer the rights, in front of designated competent authority.

A valid conveyance deed must contain the following:

1. The actual demarcation of the property.

2. Other rights annexed to the property and its use.

3. The full chain of titles, that is, all legal rights up until the present seller.

4. The method of delivery of the property to the buyer.

5. A memo of the consideration, stating how it has been received.

6. Any further applicable terms and conditions for the full transfer of ownership rights.

Important points to consider, to ensure smooth purchase/sale of a property:

The seller is required to certify that the property is free of any legal encumbrance.

If a loan was taken against the property in question, then, the mortgage must be cleared before the deed is signed. Buyers have the option of having this checked at the local sub-registrar’s office.

The conveyance deed should state the exact date on which the property will be handed over to the buyer.

Within four months of the execution of the deed, all the original documents related to the sale of the property, need to be produced for registration before the local registrar.

The deed is required to be signed by at least two witnesses.

REGISTRATION OF DEEMED CONVEYANCE

On receipt of the Deemed Conveyance Order, the Deemed Conveyance between the Competent Authority & the Society is prepared. The Competent Authority appears in the Deed on behalf of the defaulting Land Owners & Property Developers.

The Deemed Conveyance is submitted to the Office of Competent Authority for Approval & their Signature with Authority Stamp & Seal.

The Special General Body of the Society is called to approve the Deemed Conveyance & to nominate 3 Members of the Society to sign the instruments.

The Deemed Conveyance is executed by the signature of the Competent Authority & the signatures of the 3 nominated Members of the Society.

On execution of the Deemed Conveyance, it is forwarded to the District Stamp Office for Adjudication. If all the Members of the Society have paid the Stamp Duty on their respective Flat/ Shop Agreements & there is no balance FSI, the Deemed Conveyance attracts only Rs. 100/- Stamp Duty. The Stamp Office issues the Adjudication Certificate.

On receipt of the Adjudication Certificate, the Society pays the required Stamp Duty & gets the Deemed Conveyance Franked from local Bank.

After Franking of the Deemed Conveyance, the same is submitted to the Registration Office for Registration. The Registration Office issues a notice to the Land Owners & Property Developers to verify whether they have received any Stay Order from Proper Court against the Deemed Conveyance Order.

The Proper Court for issuing the Stay Order against the Deemed Conveyance Order is High Court. It is very difficult for the Land Owners & Property Developers to obtain the Stay Order from High Court against the Deemed Conveyance Order.

If there is no Stay Order received, the Registration Office Registers the Deemed Conveyance. The Competent Authority is exempted from appearing for the Registration & hence the 3 Members nominated by the Society only appear for Registration.

After Registration of the Deemed Conveyance, the Registration Office issues the Scanned Document & Index II typically within 15 days.

The complete Procedure of Registration of Deemed Conveyance is typically completed within 3- 4 Months.

On receipt of the Index II, the Registration Process of the Deemed Conveyance is successfully completed & the Society becomes the owner of the Land & Structure.